This topic has been explored in previous posts, but it one that is worth
visiting often as there are no actions being taken to reverse the negative
trend. Over 1/3 of Americans are obese and continue to grow more obese. Make no
mistake, this disease is within each individual’s control except in very rare
cases. There is no question that obesity impairs quality of life and that it contributes to out of control healthcare
costs.

You may wonder, as I have, what is being done nationally to reverse the
trend? The answer comes in the form of “Health Education”. While not all of the
billions of this taxpayer money is spent on combating obesity a substantial
portion is. The message of healthy eating, caloric restriction & exercise
has been well communicated for the last several decades. The real question is
why do we continue to spend money on the same message without achieving any
significant results.

The solution to obesity is extremely simple. Cut back caloric intake to
under 2,500 calories per day and initiate 30 minutes a day of “effective”
exercise. If so, then what is the issue? It seems that we do not have the
individual will power to reduce food consumption and we do not have the
discipline to set aside 30 minutes a day for an exercise program. No amount of health
education can resolve this dilemma. Humans tend to sacrifice longer term
benefits for short term gratification. In that regard we Americans are number
one.

There is an excellent you tube video that I watch at least once a year and
it reinforces why I get up extra early each day for jog. I encourage everyone
to watch, digest & implement the message. It will change your life! See at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo.

Most people have no problem identifying that they are overweight, but how
do we know if we have become obese? The BMI (body mass index) is typically used
to measure obesity. This can be calculated by some digital scales, estimated by
charts available on the Internet or can be calculated by you physician. While
the ideal BMI will vary by age a BMI that exceeds the 30 – 35 range is
determined to indicate obesity. BMI for a healthy individual typically lies in
the 15 – 20 range, with 20 – 30 being overweight. Competitive athletes typical
BMI lies in the 10 – 15 range.

The good news is that you can implement a program that only has a cost in
time and actually will save money if you are able to reduce caloric intake. Walking
is a great way to start. Regardless of a person’s degree of Obesity they should
be able to walk at a pace of 5 KPH (about 3 MPH). They may not be able to
maintain this pace for 30 minutes, but no worries. Just start doing as much
time as you can without overstressing. One method is to add 1 minute each day
to your time at a consistent pace, or one minute every other day. The key is to
not skip a day. In short order you will find that you are able to achieve the
pace for 30 minutes. Once that goal is achieved, the new goal will be to slowly
increase your pace until you are able to achieve a consistent pace of 6 KPH
(about 3.6 MPH). This pace will typically elevate your heart rate to 50% above
your heart rate at rest. This is the level that will result in the best benefit
to you heart, immune system & overall health.

This final comment will not win me any new friends. Since obesity is within
our control and since it places an undue burden on the taxpayer there should be
financial consequences for lack of control. My view is that obese individuals
should have to bear an increased burden of the cost of healthcare.

I have posted numerous comments regarding the out of control cost of
healthcare in our country, the broken system and at the same time the decline
in quality of care. A quick review of the facts reveals that we have by far the
highest per capita cost among all of the countries on earth. The average is
almost triple that of the average for European Countries. The high cost exists
in all areas: Hospital stays, prescription drugs, physician visits, surgery,
medical equipment, physicians’ education, etc. At the same time there are 35
countries that are ranked higher than the US in quality of care by the World
Health Organization. Our healthcare system is broken and merely tweaking it
will not resolve the issue. It is frustrating that we refuse to evaluate other
systems that are costing much less while providing a superior level of service.

Most civilized countries consider decent healthcare a right of citizenship
and not a privilege. In most the cost is shared by the taxpayer through a
single payer system similar to Medicare. While this system is likely a step in
the right direction it would reduce only some of the costs. We still need to
reduce costs in the area of physician education, prescription drugs, physician
& surgery fees, hospital costs, our obesity epidemic and others. Specifics
on these areas are addressed in earlier posts.

The per capita cost for healthcare currently exceeds $10,000. Imagine a
young family of four with both adults working at $10 per hour. Let’s assume
they have no tax burden. If they were required to pay their fair share of our
healthcare system cost they would have virtually nothing left for subsistence.
Now consider the median family income for a middle-class family of four which
stands at $ 58,000. After paying taxes and their fair share of healthcare
burden they end up with about $15,000 to cover housing, food, insurances,
transportation, clothing, utilities, communications, entertainment, etc. How do
they manage it?

How does this cost, which is currently accelerating, impact the national
budget? The majority of healthcare cost is still being subsidized by the
government. It is worth noting that the % paid by the citizen/consumer has
increased substantially over the past several decades. Regardless, the cost of
Medicare, Medicaid, Health Education and other subsidies will total about $1.7
trillion for 2018. About 2/3ds of this is subsidized by the government with the
reminder paid via co-pays and private insurance premiums. The healthcare
industry is by far the largest in the US and represents over 8% of GDP. It is
also more than double the projected 2018 budget deficit!!

If the high cost of providing healthcare is scary (and it is) then the its
impact on future costs is horrific. The current level of unfunded lability for
future healthcare is enormous, currently standing at almost $28 trillion! If we could match the European average
per capita healthcare cost here this action alone would
balance our budget and provide a surplus and go a long way in
mitigating future liabilities.

I am in awe of the great teachers from our history and the incredible life
lessons that they have provided. I am frustrated by the lack of application of
this valuable lesson by so many of today’s leaders.

Beginning with the teachings of Siddhartha (Gautama
Buddha) circa 6 – 5th century BCE. and his traditions carried on the
lineage of the Dali Lama. His was a message of the four noble truths: In short form, the four truths
are dukkha, samudaya (“arising,” “coming
together”), nirodha (“cessation,”
“confinement”), and marga, the path leading to cessation.[1

The origins of Hinduism pre-dates even Siddhartha and is not attributable
to any one teacher. However, the “way of life” teaching contains a valuable
life lesson. The proper goals or aims of human life, namely Dharma (ethics/duties), Artha (prosperity/work), Kama (desires/passions) and Moksha (liberation/freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth/salvation);[17][18]karma (action, intent and
consequences), Saṃsāra (cycle of death and rebirth),
and the various Yogas (paths or practices to attain moksha).

Jesus of Nazareth, the Jewish reformer, sought to modify the belief of a
vengeful deity with one that would have us aspire to emulate the “best” in
humanity through faith, hope & love. As the early church lost site of this lesson others
arose to provide an alternative path, but one that tended focus on correcting
abuses and not so much on a return to the life lesson. Both Muhammad (c.
570–8 June 632 CE) & Martin Luther’s reformation of 1517 are examples of
movements intended to morally adjust life’s path.

In more recent times we have great teaching examples. Mahatma Gandhi is a
prime example. He lived as he taught. His actions spoke loud of a moral code.
Mother Theresa was another example of one who lived as she believed. The
current Dali Lama is yet another.

All of these teachers held one belief in common and we know it as the
Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. This simple
lesson solves all of the world’s issues. It knows no geographic of political
boundaries. It is not modified or limited by race, creed or color. If only we
could treat each other with respect, wouldn’t it be a wonderful world.